Specifiers for adjustment disorder: definition, analysis

The existence of behavioral or mental symptoms in reaction to an recognizable stressor is the characteristic that is fundamental. This contributes to disability in social, job-related, or other important fields of operation. Patient may have stress, depressed mood, or maladaptive behaviours, but doesn't have a bunch of symptoms that match criteria for different mental disorder.

The stressor may be an individual occasion (e.g., a conclusion of a romantic relations, identification with a disabling or life threatening medical condition), or there may be multiple stressors (for example, marked company issues and marital issues). Stressors may be repeated (e.g., seasonal company disasters, carrying through sexual relationships, repeated hospitalizations for a medical illness) or constant (e.g., a constant debilitating sickness with increasing impairment, living in a crime-ridden district). Stressors may change one individual, a all family, or a bigger group of people or community.

By definition, the disturbance lasts longer than half a year after the stressor or its effects have stopped and in adjustment disorders starts within 3 months of start of a stressor. The response to strain may last also, if the stressor continues. Tests and Processes Adjustment disorder is a clinical diagnosis grounded on history and mental status assessment, with no diagnostic lab evaluation.